Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity (ASTRO)

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity Program is a highly selective program offering challenging short-term research opportunities to persons working on or holding recent Master’s or Doctoral degrees. ASTRO participants conduct research in areas that support ORNL missions in the basic and applied sciences, energy, and environment. Appointments are available in all current research and development programs at the Laboratory.

Description

Applications are accepted on a year-around basis

Appointments are for a minimum of one month or as long as twelve months, with possibility of renewal up to an additional twelve months

Participants engage in research or technical projects related to DOE’s ongoing research and development programs under the guidance of Laboratory staff scientists or engineers

Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s or a Ph.D. program at an accredited institution, or hold a recent (within the past five years) Master’s or Ph.D. degree, or have a Master’s equivalency in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) area.

Benefits

Participants can attend enrichment activities, including professional development workshops, Laboratory tours, lectures, seminars and poster presentations, with mentor approval

Eligibility

Be at least 18 years old

Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s or a Ph.D. program at an accredited institution, or hold a recent (within the past five years) Master’s or Ph.D. degree, or have a Master’s equivalency in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) area.

Be a U.S. citizen or hold a visa allowing the participant to be paid

Have medical insurance during the appointment – verification required

Obligations

Participants must abide activities that could present a conflict of interest, and behave in a responsible and professional manner

Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity (ASTRO)

More research programs for:

Eric O.

Agricultural Economics, Recent Ph.D. GraduatePurdue University

Research Focus:

“Many energy saving technologies are rated for performance via a Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheet model called the Prioritization Tool. I spent my time in the ASTRO program evaluating the parameters of part of the P-Tool called the Bass Diffusion Model. Our research is the first of its kind to attempt to develop a structural relationship between specific integration activities and market adoption rates. It will likely provide the foundation for future work to better evaluate the market impacts of energy efficiency technologies.”

Experience Gained:

“As an agricultural economist, I saw the program as a way to broaden my knowledge base in the area of energy efficiency. Shortly after the program ended I was offered a job as an economist in the Applied Economics Office of the Engineering Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland. And I know the ASTRO program played an integral role in helping me to get there.”

Thoughts on Program:

“Without a doubt, I would recommend the ASTRO program to others. The program gives you an opportunity to take part in groundbreaking research at one of the most well-respected research facilities in the world. It also allows you to cross paths and network with a number of innovators across all areas of STEM. Opportunities like this do not come along very often.”